Hi Folks, Been buffing and polishing the truck over the last few weeks, and took a look at the front emblem, and see that it has significant scratching. Before considering replacing with a rerpo unit, I have been trying to clean it up, with little success. Here's what I've tried. - hand polish with Blue Magic Metal Polish Cream (no improvement) - Hand rub with Steel wool #000 (no improvement) - Hand Sand with 3000 grit sand paper (more scratches, but uniform) - Hand rub with Steel wool #0000 again (slight improvement in scratches) - Hand polish with Blue Magic Metal polish Cream (no change)
Getting frustrated that there is nothing I can do to get the scratches out, and should just buy a repro unit. THoughts on what I could do to save the original part?
Once Chrome is scratched it’s scratched. No amount of rubbing/sanding will get it all out. Beware of the re-pops, they are not the quality of chrome as the original. If you can afford it, rechrome yours.ðŸ›
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
If these pieces are stainless steel the scratches will come out starting out using a lower grit number sandpaper than 3000. I polished a grill piece on the ‘37 and it was in much worse condition that the one in the photo. It fact, it even had dents. A friend loaned me a tool he made that raised the dents. These were then filed flat, yes a file and yes there was stomach turning horror when he demonstrated the technique on the piece. Once I completed that step on all the dents, we moved on to using progressively finer grit sandpaper. The grit started at 120, 220,320, and on up to 600, then we switched to brasso, then a solution that had an even finer grit. I don’t recall off hand what that one was now, I got at a swap meet years ago. I think now I’d likely use several different progressively finer grit papers body shops use, instead. This grill piece turned out looking pretty good.
Yes, if it’s stainless it can be brought back to like new condition. Like the guys said you have to start aggressive and then progressively lighter. Good luck.
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
If these pieces are stainless steel the scratches will come out starting out using a lower grit number sandpaper than 3000. I polished a grill piece on the ‘37 and it was in much worse condition that the one in the photo. It fact, it even had dents. A friend loaned me a tool he made that raised the dents. These were then filed flat, yes a file and yes there was stomach turning horror when he demonstrated the technique on the piece. Once I completed that step on all the dents, we moved on to using progressively finer grit sandpaper. The grit started at 120, 220,320, and on up to 600, then we switched to brasso, then a solution that had an even finer grit. I don’t recall off hand what that one was now, I got at a swap meet years ago. I think now I’d likely use several different progressively finer grit papers body shops use, instead. This grill piece turned out looking pretty good.
Good advice . But if you have just light scratches then I would start with 600 or above . Work up to 1000 1500 and 2500 . Then if you have a compound set with cotton wheels it will polish to a near chrome finish. Never quite as bright as chrome but close.
Thanks to folks pointing out the emblem was made from stainless. I pulled out my 3 inch Griots DA, put a microfiber cutting pad, and added the Blue Magic to the cutting pad. 15 minutes later, it looked like this!
